2 Weeks Notice

Well, we did it!

So I thought I should let everyone know that we're finally (actually, for real!!) headed to Austin. Some of you know all the details already, some might be a bit surprised. Some of you don't even live here anymore, but I thought you'd like to know! It's going to be so hard to say goodbye to everyone, but don't worry, we'll come visit soon!

We will be around here, packing and loading the moving truck this weekend, so if you'd like to stop by and say hi, (or goodbye! sniff sniff) please do! The truck drives away on Monday, but we aren't leaving for another week after that, so we'll be in town. Please get ahold of us if you can! We want to try to make the rounds all next week, and see as many friends and family as we can.

We are planning a get together next Friday night (16th) at Claimjumper in Roseville, so stop by if you can! Call for details, just a low-key meet in the bar for half-price appetizers kind of thing.

Some details: We sold our home to the first people who came to look at it (but the second people to make an offer.) It has all gone unbelievably smoothly (and quickly!), which is just truly miraculous in this market. It seems we are really meant to be in Texas.

We went down to Austin last week to find a place to live while we build our new home, and ended up finding a little rental house that will work perfectly. (See left, yes it's small and not very interesting but it's cheap and convenient! Besides, not our forever home, that is coming soon ....)

Anna will be moving in with us to save a little money (but really because she misses us so much ;) We will be living fairly close to the Austin airport, so if you find yourselves wanting to go to Texas for any reason, we're close and convenient, and you're welcome to stay!

Our schedule: We're signing papers on Monday (Feb. 12) and escrow closes Friday Feb. 16. We're staying with Jess and Paul next week, one last long goodbye :( . Then Michael and Paul are leaving Saturday morning to make the Big Drive with the doggies. They will arrive on Monday (19th). I, being the special princess that I am, will be flying out on Tuesday, the 20th. Nothing sadder than booking a one-way ticket!

So there you have it, it is really happening. Now, I'm going to go curl up in a little ball and feel sad for awhile before I get back to PACKING!

You can reach us at 530-885-2389 (home) til Monday, call our cel phones after that. Michael 916-316-3011 and Sharon 916-316-3012. Or, we're always online (of course) so email is always good. PLEASE keep in touch!

Lots and lots and lots of love,

Sharon and Michael

( ... and Sammie and Bear)

Haven't been blogging in awhile!

Too much to catch up on!

We're now working on the second offer on our home. We (amazingly!!) got an offer after just a month, then a second offer came in last week with less of a contingency - so we are now working with new buyers who have already sold their home.

If all goes well, and as planned, we'll be flying out to Texas at the end of the month to find a temporary place to live while we get our act together on actually building!! Escrow is scheduled to close mid to late February. I don't think we're anywhere close to coming to terms with that, but I suppose it will sink in one day.

I promise to give more detail soon, but just in case you're checking, thought I'd try to be more recent than just "listing our home!" So much has been going on, too busy. Everything is slower in Texas, right? We did have a great Christmas, got to see lots of family and friends so that was fun. We've been down to LA a few times too, for Michael's new job. More on that at a later date.

Be sure to visit the gallery! We upload pictures more than blogging these days, but not a whole lot of either! I did post some before and after pics for your viewing pleasure. We are really going to miss this home - not the work of course - but it has been a wonderful and beautiful place to live.

Our house is ON THE MARKET!

We officially went into MLS on Friday. Still waiting for the virtual tour photos, but here are some that I've taken of our handiwork. More to come, and maybe a gallery of before and after, since looking at these I see you can't really tell what's been done!

So, anyone want to buy a house? Wait, I take that back How about: Anyone want to buy some land in Texas?

Austin City Limits

So we finally got to go to the festival! Check out the ACL (Austin City Limits) website for all the details on the event. We went by ourselves Friday, and Anna came on Sunday.

It was sooooo fun. And yes, hot. But only on Friday ... by Sunday, a storm had blown into Austin and brought cooler weather. It was amazing - the rain pretty much soaked all of Austin EXCEPT the festival location. We got just a couple of sprinkles. When we got home (to Anna's) that night we got the full force of storm - thunder and lightning like you wouldn't believe unless you're there to witness it. (Anyone who has experienced thunder storms in the south would know).

So our favorite bands at the festival were:

Theivery Corporation
Gnarls Barkley
KT Tunstall
Matisyahu
John Mayer
and Ben Harper (really awesome!)

On Monday we had some free time so we drove out to the property in Elgin again and toodled around the neighborhood for about an hour. We are getting so excited!!

Then we went exploring around Lake Bastrop which is about 10 miles from our property. We can't wait to get jetskis! We had only been to the north shore of the lake, so we drove around to the south side - and were completely dumbfounded to find ourselves surrounded by PINE TREES!! That's right -within minutes it felt like we were in Foresthill, long-needled pines creating a canopy over the highway. Unbelieveable. What an amazing surprise. Awesome campgrounds too.

VIEW THE GALLERY!

Jamie and Debbie's

We are in Tx again. Now chilling with Jamie and Debbie. We are having a nice relaxing time. We are taking lots of pics', but we dont have a good internet conection... so we will upload them all in Austin.

This is a picture of the view from the house and the salt water pool.

-m

CHECK OUT ALL THE PICS

The comings and goings of M&S

As I think everyone knows by now, we're MOVING TO AUSTIN! If I've said "we're thinking about it," or "maybe" --- well, now it's really happening! The property is bought, and we have one sister there already!

If you want to know all about this journey, visit our Austin Blog. You'll probably find more information than you ever wanted to know. It is very exciting though.

Now Michael and I are working our fingers to the bone trying to get this house ready to sell! We're aiming to have it on the market before October 1. Somehow, nearly two years has gone by here, and the work has continued to pile up. But we're making good progress, and between hired help, and my family - we're getting there!! After slaving away to put their house up for sale, my parents are now devoted to getting our house ready! I don't know where they find the energy - but thank you thank you thank you!!! We'll soon have lots of before and after pictures for you to enjoy, but everything is still in progress now.

Here's a shot of mountains of brush and trees my parents cleared out, so now when you come down the driveway you can see clear down the canyon! It's gorgeous!! (Hard to capture the full effect with a camera, so you'll just have to come over and visit!)



We're heading back to Texas on Tuesday (Sept 12.) We're going to visit Michael's uncle and aunt (Jaime & Debbie) the 12-14th, then going to stay with Anna until the 18th. We bought tickets earlier this year to the Austin City Limits Festival - we're very excited! A nice diversion - and a much needed break for poor Michael!

I wanted to let everyone know we're planning a work day/party on Saturday September 23.

If anyone would like to help out - we'll work in the morning and we'll provide BBQ and beverages for lunch. Then we can party! Many of you have mentioned you'd be willing to help Michael over the years - so here's your chance ;) A last hurrah before the house goes up for sale! I'll post more details later, just wanted you to get it on your calendar.

Be sure to check back soon for more pics. We have a whole crew here this week doing drywall and finish work. I can't WAIT til it's done!!

DEF LEPPARD & JOURNEY!

Turns out they're not retired (or dead ha ha). Michael and I went to the concert with Jess, Paul, Julia and an empty seat for BOB since it was his birthday (LOVE YOU BOBBY! :) More funny than anything else, it was rad to rock out to the best of the 80s power ballads.

Jason's 30th Birthday Weekend

Michael's cousin Jason turned 30 August 15th. His wife Tiffany and her family threw a great weekend celebration for him at their fabulous cabin in Pioneer. Like the forgetful people we are, we didn't take any pictures of their amazing place. But we took a few shots at the lake where even Sharon went Jetskiing. It was a very fun day! Thank you very much Tiffany, Mike & Lisa for a very enjoyable weekend! You are so hospitable (and your food is delicious too!).

Oh, excuse me ...

I did not see you there!

Connie visits M&S

Here are a few photos of Connie's visit here in August. We made her do yard work and then took her to the lake.

Click here for photos.